Justin Chang
Justin Chang is a film critic for the Los Angeles Times and NPR's Fresh Air, and a regular contributor to KPCC's FilmWeek. He previously served as chief film critic and editor of film reviews for Variety.
Chang is the author of FilmCraft: Editing, a book of interviews with seventeen top film editors. He serves as chair of the National Society of Film Critics and secretary of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.
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Tori and Lokita is the latest gripping moral thriller from Belgian filmmakers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne. The story is swift and relentless; it runs barely 90 minutes and never slows down. -
Palm Trees and Power Lines is a gripping cautionary tale about abuse and trafficking — but it is scrupulous in its refusal to sensationalize. -
A withdrawn 9-year-old spends the summer with two distant relatives in this Oscar-nominated film. The Quiet Girl's main character may be unassuming, but there's nothing insignificant about this film. -
A new film captures the complexity of family relationships by freely speculating about the lives of 19th-century English writer Emily Brontë and her siblings. -
The third and final Magic Mike movie isn't nearly as sexy or entertaining as its predecessors. Mike (Channing Tatum) is now bartending and is seduced by a London socialite (Salma Hayek Pinault). -
The Cannes award-winner Close -- about two inseparable teen boys — is for anyone who thought their childhood friendship would last forever. It's a beautiful Belgian film, but takes the easy way out. -
Eight women come together in a hayloft to decide what's next after their religious colony is devastated by sexual violence. Sarah Polley adapted Miriam Toews' novel, which was drawn from true events. -
In 2010, Iranian the authorities charged Jafar Panahi with making anti-government propaganda. No Bears, which was filmed in secret, is a brilliant, layered drama — and an idiosyncratic self portrait. -
Fresh Air's film critic says it was a terrific year for movies but also a dispiriting one. Blockbusters brought audiences back to theaters, but romantic comedies and grown-up dramas often struggled. -
Avatar: The Way of Water may not be one of the best movies of the year, but it is one of the best movie-going experiences of the year. (Think: Jacques Cousteau on shrooms.)
